this comes out -- as polls show the race between romney and president obama are in a dead heat. >> a poll taken after last week's debate shows running getting a bounce in the polls. that same gallup poll shows that voters thought overwhelmingly romney won that debate, the biggest debate when ever recorded by gallup. republican presidential candidate mitt romney tipperary break -- took a rare break talking about the economy and slammed the policy in the middle east. >> it is clear the conflict is higher now than when the president took office. >> trying to seize on the president's handling of last month's attack in libya. >> i know the president hopes for a safer freer, and more prosperous middle east, allied with us. i share this hope. but hope is not a strategy. >> the candidate went to an impromptu third stop after 100 middle school kids waved at his motorcade. romney's numbers are up and they appeared to be tied. the president continued his california fund-raising swing which is expected to bring in $10 million over two days. the president attended a dedication to the cesar chavez